Ecclesia Laborans: Reproductive Labor and the Hidden Work of Liturgical Performance, 1350–1600.

Conference organizers: Juliette Calvarin, Humboldt University in Berlin & CJ Jones, University of Notre Dame, Indiana, USA

Sponsored by: Institut für Kunst- und Bildgeschichte at the Humboldt University in Berlin and the Medieval Institute of the University of Notre Dame, USA

Presentations will be streamed live, but not recorded. You may register to attend in person or to receive a link for streaming the presentations virtually. Registrants will receive an email with the location for in-person attendance or the link for live streaming online.

You can register for in-person or online participation via the conference website. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, March 4.

For other questions, contact us at labor-liturgy-2026hu-berlin.de

PROGRAM

FRIDAY, March 6 2026

9:15
Arrival and Welcome

9:30-11:00
Jochen Hermann Vennebusch, Universität Greifswald
“Changing Arrangements – Constant Tasks: Church Treasures and their Coordination Throughout the Liturgical Year”
Łukasz Żak, Pontifical University of the Holy Cross. Rome
“Let the Mud, Filth, and Dirt Be Removed: Preparations for the Corpus Christi Processions in Renaissance Rome”

11:15-12:45
John Hinderer, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich
“Maintaining Reform through Sound: The Reproduction of Chant in Benedictine Liturgy (15c)”
Henry Parkes, University of Nottingham
“Liturgical Staffing and Vocal Labour in Late-Medieval Exeter Cathedral: Insights from the 1518 Tabula”

Lunch for Speakers

2:30-4:00
Olivia Geraci, University of Notre Dame
“Living Memory: The Institutional and Liturgical history of Longchamp Abbey in Paris, BnF Ms. Fr. 11662”
Meret Wüthrich, Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg im Breisgau
“Benefaction and Bureaucracy: Managing Anniversary Commemoration at the Dominican convent of St Mary Magdalene, Freiburg”

4:15-5:45
Marga Mingote, Universitat Rovira i Virgili (Tarragona)
“Graduals 19 and 26: Updating and Practicing Music and Liturgy in the Cistercian Royal Monastery of Santa Maria de Vallbona”
Carolin Gluchowski, Universität Hamburg
“From Parchment to Practice: Reframing and Recycling in the Latin and Low German Prayer Books from the Cistercian Convent of Medingen”

Dinner for Speakers

Saturday, March 7 2026
9:30-11:00
Vera Henkelmann, MWK Erfurt and SPK Berlin
“Form Follows Candle Care: On the Relevance of the Maintenance of Chandeliers and Candlesticks for the Typology and Diversity of Medieval Lighting Equipment”
Fiammetta Campagnoli, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and Université de Fribourg
“The Labor of Presence: Maintenance and Devotion in Early Modern Italian Streets”

11:15-12:45
Katie Ann-Marie Bugyis, University of Notre Dame
‘ “Beloved to Us in Christ”: Carriers of Election Petitions from Religious Women’s Communities in Late Medieval England.’
Franz Fromholzer, Universität Augsburg
“The Reforms of the 16th century and the work hidden behind the confessor”